A CONCERN FOR SOULS
The reasons for this apathy are not far to seek.
I. ABSENCE OF CONVICTION THAT EVERY IMPENITENT SOUL IS
UTTERLY LOST
There may be a willingness to subscribe to the orthodox creed concerning future punishment, but there is a world of difference between a creedal belief and a working faith. ‘What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?“
II. ABSENCE OF CONCERN FOR THE LOST
An old Puritan used to speak of having a “concern,” and a meaningful expression it is. CHRIST had a concern for the individuals and for the multitudes. His concern was so real and so deep that at times the flood of manly tears could no longer be restrained and rolled down His compassionate face. JESUS, the manliest of men, wept. Paul, the brave, besought men, night, and day with tears, to be reconciled to GOD. When a young missionary, who had been invalided home, was asked why he was so eager to get back to his people, he said, “Because I cannot sleep for thinking about them. “Oh, for tear-filled eyes! Oh, for sleepless eyes, because of the imminent danger and doom of the unsaved! Do the tears ever start unbidden from our eyes as we behold our city filled with sin and suffering and shame? Does sleep ever flee our eyes. because of our concern for the souls around? How cold, and callous and
benumbed are our souls!
III. ABSENCE OF CONCEPTION OF THE VALUE OF A SOUL
Upon our conception of the value of the object to be won will depend the
strenuousness of our labors for their salvation. “Is it really worth inconveniencing ourselves and interfering with our own enjoyment to save souls?” we ask. Let us endeavor to arrive at some true estimate of the value of a soul. A man will work harder to recover diamonds than gravel. Why? Because they are of so much greater value. And so with the souls of men. The Value of a Soul But how can we compute the value of a soul?
1. By ITS NATURE AND ORIGIN. Man was made in the image of
GOD, and into him was breathed the breath of GOD. Man is an
immortal being.
2. By ITS POWERS AND CAPACITIES. The capacities of a human being, even in this life, seem almost limitless – but, alas, they have been prostituted to base uses in the service of the usurper. But man is still capable of fellowship with GOD – the highest privilege conceivable to the mind of a human being.
3. By THE DURATION OF ITS EXISTENCE. The human soul
exists eternally, and either in bliss or in woe. (See IICor. 4:18;
ICor. 15:53; Rom. 8:11; Jude 7; IIPet. 3:6, 7; Matt.
25:46).
4. By THE COST OF ITS REDEMPTION. It required not shining silver or yellow gold to pay the price of man’s redemption, but crimson drops of precious blood from the broken body of the Son of GOD. This makes even the meanest soul worth saving.
5. By THE STRUGGLE REQUIRED FOR ITS POSSESSION. Why is the unregenerate human soul the battleground of both GOD and the
Devil, the one actuated by love, the other by hate? Because both know
and rightly appraise the possibilities for good and evil of only one human soul. ‘He that hath not the Son of GOD, hath not life.’ ‘He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him.’
THE FITNESS OF THE WORKER
“I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION that everyone is not called to be a
soul-winner,” said a young man recently. That would make pleasant hearing, indeed, for those who desire to shirk soul-winning work, but, unfortunately for them the young man’s conclusion was erroneous! He would find it exceedingly difficult to substantiate his case from Scripture. So long as the Great Commission is unrevoked, so long as “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” remains in the Sacred Volume, there rests on each the personal responsibility of endeavoring to win souls for CHRIST, and for this he requires a special fitness.
- AN UNWAVERING PURPOSE
Since this work is of such supreme importance, the wise soul -winner will seek the very highest qualifications for the work.
- AN UNASSAILABLE ASSURANCE OF HIS OWN SALVATION
This is another indispensable qualification of the soul- winner. Suppose one on whom you were pressing the claims of CHRIST turned to you with the question, “Are you absolutely certain you yourself are saved?” what would you answer? Could you ring out an unhesitating, “Yes, thank GOD, I am”? Our LORD said: “We speak that we do know” (John 3:11). All around us are men and women, old and young, who are longing to find someone who knows, who can speak on this subject with conviction and authority. They are tired of negations, doubts, and speculations. They have enough of their own. If you do not possess this unshakable assurance, search the Word of GOD until you “know that you have eternal life” (I John 5:13).
- A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES
The soul- winner must not only believe the Bible but know and study it. Other knowledge is doubtless valuable, but a knowledge of the Bible is of paramount importance. Nothing can take its place. Every soul-winner must acquire as speedily as possible, first, a general knowledge of the Bible, its main contents, and teachings, and then how its message can best be applied in this work, for the Bible is the soul-winner’s only kit of tools. Hence the necessity of being familiar with all the Scriptures which are relevant to soul-winning work. It is the Word which the SPIRIT uses to convict of sin (Acts 2:37), and to reveal the way of salvation (II Timothy 3:15). It is with the Bible that objections and excuses can be met, or modern heresies exposed; therefore, the soul-winner must be a man of the Book if he is to know success.
To summarize in the words of Dr. Torrey:
- A soul-winner should know how to use his Bible so as to show others their need of a SAVIOUR.
- To show them that JESUS CHRIST is just the SAVIOUR they need.
- To show them how to make Him their own SAVIOUR.
- To deal with difficulties which hinder them from doing this. To these we would add:
- The soul-winner should have a living and active faith in the power of the Word of GOD to save the most difficult case.
- A HABITUALLY PRAYERFUL ATTITUDE
How many possibilities of error there are in such a work as this! The worker must be led as to which direction to take, and to whom to speak; to rightly diagnose the case, and to prescribe the appropriate remedy. Well might he cry with Paul: “Who is sufficient for these things?” Only as the heart is constantly being lifted to GOD in prayer for promised wisdom will he be preserved from blundering. He must pray before, during, and after his work.
- A LOVINGLY TACTFUL APPROACH
Tact has been defined as the art of putting ourselves in the place of others so that we may know their needs and supply them, their prejudices, and conciliate them. It is an intuitive perception of what is proper or fitting; the mental ability of saying and doing the right thing at the right time, so as not to unnecessarily offend or anger. This qualification is sadly often conspicuous by its absence, and the worker spoils the very work about which he is so concerned.
- THE ENDUEMENT WITH POWER
Although we have placed this qualification last in order, it is not because it is least in importance. Without it, one may have formed an unwavering purpose, enjoy an unassailable assurance, possess a working knowledge of the Scriptures, be very prayerful, and exercise much tact, and yet not be a successful soulwinner.
THE PLACE OF PRAYER IN SOUL-WINNING
THE WORKER WHOSE SUPREME desire and passion is to be used in cooperation with the HOLY SPIRIT in the winning of men to CHRIST, must master in some degree the holy art of intercession. Prayer must ever occupy a pre-eminent place in the soul- winner’s program, for the salvation of the soul is not a human, but a divine work. Only through prayer can the power of GOD be released. “I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh“ Rom. 9:3. Mark Epaphras, “always laboring fervently . . . in prayers“ Col. 4:12. Is it boldness you need? Then do as the disciples did – pray! “Grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word . . . And they spake the word of God with boldness” Acts 4:29-31. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). You will be able, after prayer, to do what you never could have done without it. The worker’s prayer for the soul to be won will also be threefold.
First, that any indifference or hostility may be broken down and an opening made for delivering the message of salvation. Unless the SPIRIT of GOD precede the worker, he will try in vain to storm the citadel of the soul. Persistent, believing prayer has often broken down the most determined opposition.
Second, that the soil of the heart may be prepared for the sowing of the seed. This again is the work of the SPIRIT of GOD. “When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). He does His work of conviction in answer to prayer.
Third, that the soul may be liberated from the power of Satan. It is just here that the real battle is fought. Prayer of this kind is a spiritual warfare. Satan, the strong man armed of Matthew 12:29, has bound every son of Adam, and contests their deliverance every inch of the way. It is by believing prayer alone that the strong man can be bound and souls delivered. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation
12:11). Our praying is likely to be futile unless it is definite in its aim. The marksman is aiming at one spot in all the wide world. After he has shot, he knows whether or not he has hit it. Our prayers should be of a similar order. They should be so definite that we shall know whether or not they have been answered. We must pray for definite souls. But for which souls? Here again the HOLY SPIRIT comes to our aid. Our petitions should be Spirit-taught. As we wait before GOD, He will burden our hearts for certain souls who are within the sphere of our influence.
J. Oswald Sanders
